Understanding CPU Upgrades
model and speed of CPU anyway. Delving into the BIOS and examining the settings
often bears the most fruit in terms of useful information such as the currently set
multiplier, Bus Speed, Core Voltage, frequency etc. Some motherboards (usually the
older ones) will have this information set via Jumpers and DIP switches, so the
manual will need to be found before the settings can be interpreted.
To make life simpler, various CPU diagnostic programs can be found on the Web,
often for free. A good one to start with is WCPUID. Also, SiSoft Sandra incorporates
useful CPU info alongside all its other bells and whistles. PowerLeap (producer of
specific CPU Upgrades see below) also has a utility called CPU Control Panel, while
a German company (Dr. Hardware) produces a similarly useful product. See the
Web Resources section below for details of these and more.
CPU Fans
When replacing a CPU, some consideration should also go towards suitable cooling
for the new chip. Today's chips run faster and consequently hotter than their older
counterparts, so they will rarely be able to use the older CPU's heat sink and fan
combination (some 486 based PCs might even just use a heat sink and no fan at all).
A suitable case fan should also be considered depending on the replacement CPU
if the case is relatively small (compared to the average mini tower) then a new, fast
CPU with large heat sink and fan will quickly warm up the inside a the case that
doesn't have adequate cooling and ventilation. If the case doesn't have any provision
for installing a case fan then some DIY will need to be carried out or a new case
purchased. Sudden unexpected system crashes, especially in warm weather, are a
common sign that the processor is overheating.
Motherboards
If a straight CPU replacement is the preferred upgrade option then consideration
should be given to the existing motherboard, voltages available, supported FSB
speeds, overall supported clock rates and its support chipset. On older mother
boards the provided CPU voltages will normally be adjusted via jumpers, but newer
boards will normally use data accessible via the CMOS setup menu (Softmenu II or
III for example). The required chipset will vary from CPU to CPU, so it is worth
consulting the manual or a suitable Web site to determine whether the new CPU
will work in the existing board. The same applies to the FSB and CPU clock rates. If
the only desired replacement CPU is incompatible with the existing motherboard
then a new board should be considered, but bear in mind that this might have some
knock on consequences such as the possible need for a new case, PSU, memory if
the old RAM (for example, 30 pin SIMMs) isn't provided for on the new 72 pin
SIMM only motherboard, and even expansion cards. The latter could need replace
ment if for example they are older ISA based cards and the new motherboard has
little or no provision for ISA slots. The costs could then start to mount noticeably,
If a straight CPU
and it is at this point that it is worth considering whether the upgrade is cost effective
and if the old PC shouldn't simply be replaced.
replacement is the
Slots And Sockets
preferred upgrade option
Because there have been so many processor types released over the past few years,
then consideration
most with different numbers of pins, varying sizes, numerous support chipsets,
differing power requirements etc there are quite a number of sockets and slots in
should be given to the
the millions of PCs installed the world over. To make things even more complex,
the two main desktop processor manufacturers (Intel and AMD) naturally use
existing motherboard,
different methods by which to connect their CPUs to the motherboard.
voltages available,
It's worth knowing about some of the most common sockets: first there was the
80486 socket which accepted the 168 pin square 80486 Intel CPUs; socket 4 was
supported FSB speeds,
designed for the early Pentium 60 and 66 CPUs; next is the Socket 5 which accepted
296 or 320 pin Pentium CPUs (up to 133 MHz); then we have Socket 7 which is
overall supported clock
designed to accommodate all the Pentiums (except the Pentium II) and AMD's K6 2.
Socket 7 is in fact one of the more versatile upgrade sockets as various AMD
rates and its support
processors (such as the K6) can give a good and relatively cheap performance boost
without having to replace any other hardware. Super Socket 7 was AMD's enhanced
chipset.
version of Socket 7 which was designed for their newer processors of the time. Socket
8 is designed purely to accommodate the Pentium Pro.
Update 155:October 2001
PC Support Advisor
File: T1050.2
page 12
Tutorial:Hardware
www.pcsupportadvisor.com
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